Reconstruction and the Reconstruction and the New SouthNew South

Chapter 15Chapter 15

The Problems of PeacemakingThe Problems of Peacemaking

The Aftermath of War and The Aftermath of War and EmancipationEmancipation The war is over, now what?The war is over, now what? South was destroyedSouth was destroyed

PhysicallyPhysically Socially (20% of white male pop.)Socially (20% of white male pop.) Economically – hyperinflation, no resources, Economically – hyperinflation, no resources,

no trade, no workers, no banks, etc.no trade, no workers, no banks, etc. The “Lost Cause” = sense of loss for The “Lost Cause” = sense of loss for

southern whitessouthern whites

4 million slaves freed into far worse 4 million slaves freed into far worse conditions?conditions?

No family, no $, no land, no donkeys?, no No family, no $, no land, no donkeys?, no where to go, no food, … you get the picture!where to go, no food, … you get the picture!

Competing Notions of FreedomCompeting Notions of Freedom Reconstruction = quest for freedom!!!Reconstruction = quest for freedom!!! Blacks = land “If I cannot live like a Blacks = land “If I cannot live like a

white man, than I am not free”white man, than I am not free” Whites = freedom from “foreign” Whites = freedom from “foreign”

(federal) “oppression & white supremacy(federal) “oppression & white supremacy whites often times tried to keep black whites often times tried to keep black

workers legally tied to plantations, aka workers legally tied to plantations, aka sharecroppingsharecropping

Competing Competing Notions of Notions of Freedom cont’dFreedom cont’d

Freedman’s Freedman’s BureauBureau

General HowardGeneral Howard distributed food to distributed food to

millions of former millions of former slavesslaves

opened schoolsopened schools distributed landdistributed land too small of an too small of an

organization to organization to deal effectively deal effectively with huge problemswith huge problems

Issues of ReconstructionIssues of Reconstruction Northern BeliefsNorthern Beliefs

Economics = Northern Republicans had just Economics = Northern Republicans had just passed huge legislation... if Southern Democrats passed huge legislation... if Southern Democrats regained control, programs would be in jeopardyregained control, programs would be in jeopardy

punishmentpunishment ““made over” and urbanizedmade over” and urbanized

Inter-party DisagreementInter-party Disagreement Conservatives = south just accept the abolition of Conservatives = south just accept the abolition of

slavery (Johnson)slavery (Johnson) Radicals (T. Stevens and C. Sumner) = Southern Radicals (T. Stevens and C. Sumner) = Southern

leaders punished, rights of blacks be protected leaders punished, rights of blacks be protected and land Confederate leaders be distributed to and land Confederate leaders be distributed to freedmen.freedmen.

Moderates = rejected the punitive goals of the Moderates = rejected the punitive goals of the radials but supported extracting some radials but supported extracting some concessions from the South on black rights concessions from the South on black rights (Lincoln)(Lincoln)

Lincoln’s Plans for ReconstructionLincoln’s Plans for Reconstruction President Lincoln = Moderate (10% Plan)President Lincoln = Moderate (10% Plan) Plan = amnesty to white southerners who Plan = amnesty to white southerners who

pledged and oath of loyalty to the United States pledged and oath of loyalty to the United States and accepted the elimination of Slaveryand accepted the elimination of Slavery

When 10% of eligible voters to the oath, they When 10% of eligible voters to the oath, they could set up a state governmentcould set up a state government

Radical Republicans outraged by Lincoln’s Radical Republicans outraged by Lincoln’s program, put forward Wade-Davis bill in July of program, put forward Wade-Davis bill in July of 1864 which authorized President to appoint a 1864 which authorized President to appoint a provisional governor for each conquered state... provisional governor for each conquered state... among other things... but left it up to the among other things... but left it up to the individual states to decide on the issue of black individual states to decide on the issue of black rights... Lincoln “pocket” vetoed itrights... Lincoln “pocket” vetoed it

Lincoln realized he would have to give in to some Lincoln realized he would have to give in to some of the radical demandsof the radical demands

The Death of LincolnThe Death of Lincoln April 14, 1865 Lincoln and his wife Mary April 14, 1865 Lincoln and his wife Mary

attended a play at the Ford’s Theatre.attended a play at the Ford’s Theatre. U.S. Grant and his wife were supposed to be U.S. Grant and his wife were supposed to be

there with him, but Grant’s wife couldn’t stand there with him, but Grant’s wife couldn’t stand the presence of Mary Lincoln.the presence of Mary Lincoln.

John Wilkes Booth entered Lincoln’s booth and John Wilkes Booth entered Lincoln’s booth and shot him in the back of the headshot him in the back of the head

Militant Republicans exploited suspicions of a Militant Republicans exploited suspicions of a Southern ConspiracySouthern Conspiracy

Johnson and “Restoration”Johnson and “Restoration” VP Johnson = wrong man for the JobVP Johnson = wrong man for the Job Changes name of Reconstruction to “Restoration”Changes name of Reconstruction to “Restoration” Pushed forward plan while Congress was in recessPushed forward plan while Congress was in recess Plan resembled Wade-Davis Bill, in order to gain Plan resembled Wade-Davis Bill, in order to gain

re-admission, states had tore-admission, states had to revoke its ordinance of secessionrevoke its ordinance of secession abolish slaveryabolish slavery ratify the Thirteenth Amendmentratify the Thirteenth Amendment repudiate the Confederate and state war debtsrepudiate the Confederate and state war debts

By the end of 1865 all the seceded states had By the end of 1865 all the seceded states had formed new governments and prepared to join formed new governments and prepared to join the union as soon as Congress recognized them.the union as soon as Congress recognized them.

Northern opinion now more hostile to the South in Northern opinion now more hostile to the South in response to Lincoln’s assassination and Southern response to Lincoln’s assassination and Southern states electing Confederate leaders to legislaturestates electing Confederate leaders to legislature

Radical Reconstruction Radical Reconstruction (Congressional Reconstruction) (Congressional Reconstruction)

The Black CodesThe Black Codes Southern laws designed to reestablish planter Southern laws designed to reestablish planter

control over black workerscontrol over black workers Variations from state to state, but all the Variations from state to state, but all the

codes codes authorized local officials to apprehend unemployed authorized local officials to apprehend unemployed

blacksblacks fine them for vagrancy (Vagrancy Laws)fine them for vagrancy (Vagrancy Laws) hire them out to private employers to satisfy the finehire them out to private employers to satisfy the fine

underage children became custody of the underage children became custody of the state, and (c.)state, and (c.)

““Radical” Congress Radical” Congress extended the life of the Freedmen’s Bureauextended the life of the Freedmen’s Bureau First Civil Rights ActFirst Civil Rights Act

Johnson vetoed both acts, but 2/3+ Congress Johnson vetoed both acts, but 2/3+ Congress overrode both vetoes (1866)overrode both vetoes (1866)

The Fourteenth AmendmentThe Fourteenth Amendment offered the first constitutional definition of American offered the first constitutional definition of American

citizenshipcitizenship everyone born in the US and everyone naturalized, everyone born in the US and everyone naturalized,

was automatically a citizen and entitled to equal was automatically a citizen and entitled to equal protection of the laws by both state and national protection of the laws by both state and national governmentsgovernments

imposed penalties on states that denied suffrage to imposed penalties on states that denied suffrage to any adult any adult malemale inhabitants inhabitants

prohibited individuals who had taken an oath to prohibited individuals who had taken an oath to support the Constitution and later aided the support the Constitution and later aided the Confederacy from holding any state or federal office Confederacy from holding any state or federal office unless 2/3 Congress voted to pardon themunless 2/3 Congress voted to pardon them

Congress made it clear that if states ratified the 14th Congress made it clear that if states ratified the 14th they would be readmitted back to the union.... only they would be readmitted back to the union.... only Tennessee did so.... some northern states also Tennessee did so.... some northern states also refusedrefused

Johnson = campaigning idiotJohnson = campaigning idiot

The Congressional PlanThe Congressional Plan Three bills vetoed by Johnson and passed Three bills vetoed by Johnson and passed

anywayanyway Significance of two year delaySignificance of two year delay States not readmitted to the Union, now States not readmitted to the Union, now

under military controlunder military control The Plan: Military commanders were to The Plan: Military commanders were to

register all adult black males and white register all adult black males and white males who had not participated in the males who had not participated in the rebellion, after completion of registration, rebellion, after completion of registration, voters would elect a convention and create voters would elect a convention and create a new constitution that accepted the 14th a new constitution that accepted the 14th Amendment and could be re-admitted into Amendment and could be re-admitted into the Unionthe Union

The Fifteenth AmendmentThe Fifteenth Amendment forbade states from denying suffrage on account of forbade states from denying suffrage on account of

“race, color, or previous condition of servitude”“race, color, or previous condition of servitude” important in theory and not impact for many years... important in theory and not impact for many years...

for it did nothing to restrict literacy, property and for it did nothing to restrict literacy, property and educational interests, educational interests, grandfather clausegrandfather clause and poll and poll taxestaxes

no reference to women (see Stanton’s comments)no reference to women (see Stanton’s comments) Impeaching the President and Assaulting the Impeaching the President and Assaulting the

CourtsCourts Radical tried to impeach Johnson by passing two Radical tried to impeach Johnson by passing two

lawslaws Tenure of Office Act = forbade the president from removing Tenure of Office Act = forbade the president from removing

officials without the consent of Congress (Secretary of War officials without the consent of Congress (Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton)Edwin M. Stanton)

Command of the Army Act = prohibited the president from Command of the Army Act = prohibited the president from issuing military orders except through the commanding issuing military orders except through the commanding General (U.S. Grant)General (U.S. Grant)

Johnson fires Stanton to test the merit of these lawsJohnson fires Stanton to test the merit of these laws The House votes to impeach Johnson on “High The House votes to impeach Johnson on “High

Crimes and Misdemeanors”Crimes and Misdemeanors” Goes to Senate for trial...35 to 19... one short of Goes to Senate for trial...35 to 19... one short of

constitutionally demanded 2/3 for impeachmentconstitutionally demanded 2/3 for impeachment

The South in Reconstruction The South in Reconstruction

The Reconstruction GovernmentsThe Reconstruction Governments Carpetbaggers = slang term for Carpetbaggers = slang term for

individuals from the North who came to individuals from the North who came to the South during the Reconstruction the South during the Reconstruction era.era.

Southern whites believed these individuals Southern whites believed these individuals to be taking advantage of the South in their to be taking advantage of the South in their own self interestown self interest

truth is that many of these individuals were truth is that many of these individuals were well educated and the Southern frontier was well educated and the Southern frontier was more promising than the Westmore promising than the West

The Reconstruction Governments The Reconstruction Governments Cont’dCont’d

Largest contingency of southern Largest contingency of southern Republicans were black freedmenRepublicans were black freedmen

““colored convention”colored convention” served as delegates to the constitutional served as delegates to the constitutional

conventionconvention held elected officesheld elected offices Whites feared “Negro rule” but such was not Whites feared “Negro rule” but such was not

the case... no black man was ever elected the case... no black man was ever elected governor of a southern stategovernor of a southern state

Problems = widespread corruption and Problems = widespread corruption and debtdebt

Accomplishments = public education, Accomplishments = public education, public works programs and poor relief public works programs and poor relief

EducationEducation 4,000 schools built and staffed by 18704,000 schools built and staffed by 1870 By 1876 50% of all white children and 40% of By 1876 50% of all white children and 40% of

black children were attending schools in the black children were attending schools in the SouthSouth

Desegregated schools were a failureDesegregated schools were a failure Civil Rights act of 1875 had its provisions for Civil Rights act of 1875 had its provisions for

educational desegregation, but removed before educational desegregation, but removed before it was passedit was passed

Landownership and TenancyLandownership and Tenancy biggest goal of freedmen’s bureau was reform in biggest goal of freedmen’s bureau was reform in

landownership in the South landownership in the South South Carolina, Georgia Sea Islands, and areas of Miss South Carolina, Georgia Sea Islands, and areas of Miss

that belonged to JD....that belonged to JD.... but for the most part it failedbut for the most part it failed

President Johnson supported Southern demands President Johnson supported Southern demands to have their property restoredto have their property restored

Landownership and Tenancy Cont’dLandownership and Tenancy Cont’d Gov’t returned most confiscated land to Gov’t returned most confiscated land to

Southern whites... due impart to the fact that Southern whites... due impart to the fact that few in the North supported the ideafew in the North supported the idea

number of blacks owning land grew from number of blacks owning land grew from none to 20%... but many lost all with the none to 20%... but many lost all with the Freedmen’s Bank and the national Freedmen’s Bank and the national depression of the 1870sdepression of the 1870s

many blacks became “tenants”... people many blacks became “tenants”... people who worked the land, but paid the landowner who worked the land, but paid the landowner a percentage of their crop. aka “tenant a percentage of their crop. aka “tenant farming/sharecropping/debt peonage?farming/sharecropping/debt peonage?

system allowed blacks physical independencesystem allowed blacks physical independence possibility of saving enough to purchase the land possibility of saving enough to purchase the land

was virtually impossiblewas virtually impossible

Incomes and CreditIncomes and Credit Black income: from 22% before the war to Black income: from 22% before the war to

56% after... one of the most significant 56% after... one of the most significant redistribution of wealth in American historyredistribution of wealth in American history

but... black per capita income rose from but... black per capita income rose from about one-quarter of white per capita income about one-quarter of white per capita income to about one half of white per capita income to about one half of white per capita income in the first few years following the war and in the first few years following the war and after this initial increase, it hardly rose at all.after this initial increase, it hardly rose at all.

income re-distribution did NOT lift many income re-distribution did NOT lift many blacks out of povertyblacks out of poverty

Incomes and Credit Cont’dIncomes and Credit Cont’d Crop-lien system = post war system of credit Crop-lien system = post war system of credit

centered around country stores, planters and/or centered around country stores, planters and/or independent merchants. aka sharecroppingindependent merchants. aka sharecropping

most tenets, black or white, depended on these stores most tenets, black or white, depended on these stores for necessitiesfor necessities

many had to pay with creditmany had to pay with credit limited competition ensured high prices and rates as limited competition ensured high prices and rates as

high as 50-60%high as 50-60% a bad crop year = a cycle of debt from which they could a bad crop year = a cycle of debt from which they could

never escape (aka debt peonage)never escape (aka debt peonage) not only impoverished farmers, but contributed to not only impoverished farmers, but contributed to

decline in southern agriculture economydecline in southern agriculture economy The African-American Family in FreedomThe African-American Family in Freedom

efforts to find family members and loved onesefforts to find family members and loved ones lived on white property, but away from land lived on white property, but away from land

owner and out of slave quartersowner and out of slave quarters desire for nuclear familydesire for nuclear family married and working black womenmarried and working black women

The Grant Administration The Grant Administration Johnson’s presidency had left Johnson’s presidency had left

the country in political the country in political turmoil, and the nation turmoil, and the nation wanted a stronger and more wanted a stronger and more stable leader for the country. stable leader for the country. Thus, they voted in Civil War Thus, they voted in Civil War hero Ulysses Simpson Grant, hero Ulysses Simpson Grant, who won the election, who won the election, without a majority of the without a majority of the white voters, but he won the white voters, but he won the large majority of black voters large majority of black voters who had just been given who had just been given their right to vote with 10 their right to vote with 10 southern states being southern states being readmitted in 1868. readmitted in 1868.

The Soldier PresidentThe Soldier President Grant could have run as either a Democrat Grant could have run as either a Democrat

or a Republican, but decided to run as a or a Republican, but decided to run as a Republican because of their popularity in Republican because of their popularity in the nation. Grant won in a relatively close the nation. Grant won in a relatively close election, but the black vote helped him win election, but the black vote helped him win the election.the election.

Grant had no political experience, but he Grant had no political experience, but he was planning on running the country like a was planning on running the country like a general, since that was his experience with general, since that was his experience with leadership. Grant chose many friends and leadership. Grant chose many friends and family to political offices, which many family to political offices, which many would say was a major mistake of his would say was a major mistake of his presidency. He also used patronage for presidency. He also used patronage for many positions, which led to many of the many positions, which led to many of the political scandals that his administration political scandals that his administration would get connected to.would get connected to.

The “Liberal” RepublicansThe “Liberal” Republicans At the end of his first term, some At the end of his first term, some

members of the Republican Party referred members of the Republican Party referred to themselves as the Liberal Republicans, to themselves as the Liberal Republicans, because they opposed what they jokingly because they opposed what they jokingly referred to as “Grantism.” (aka “Grant’s referred to as “Grantism.” (aka “Grant’s spoils system.)spoils system.)

In 1872, they put up Horace Greeley, who In 1872, they put up Horace Greeley, who was also the candidate of the Democrats, was also the candidate of the Democrats, thus hoping to ensure that Grant was not thus hoping to ensure that Grant was not reelected. However, Grant won in a reelected. However, Grant won in a landslide with 56% of the popular vote, landslide with 56% of the popular vote, and 286 electoral votes (Grant) to 66 and 286 electoral votes (Grant) to 66 (Greeley)(Greeley)

The Grant ScandalsThe Grant Scandals During his campaign for reelection, the first During his campaign for reelection, the first

major political scandal of the Grant major political scandal of the Grant Administration came out, commonly referred to Administration came out, commonly referred to as Credit Mobilier.as Credit Mobilier.

a French owned construction company, which a French owned construction company, which helped to build the Union Pacific Railroad. helped to build the Union Pacific Railroad.

The companies’ financial leaders had created The companies’ financial leaders had created fraudulent contracts to their own company, and fraudulent contracts to their own company, and thus coned the Union pacific and the federal thus coned the Union pacific and the federal government, who had given out large subsidies government, who had given out large subsidies to the railroads. to the railroads.

To keep any investigation from catching them, To keep any investigation from catching them, they had given stocks to key members in they had given stocks to key members in Congress. One particular member was Schuleyer Congress. One particular member was Schuleyer Colfax, who was now Grant’s VP. Colfax, who was now Grant’s VP.

The Grant Scandals Cont’dThe Grant Scandals Cont’d Scandal after scandal broke during his 2nd Scandal after scandal broke during his 2nd

term.term. Ben Bristow, Grant’s secretary treasurer, Ben Bristow, Grant’s secretary treasurer,

discovered that some of his own officials and a discovered that some of his own officials and a group of distillers were operating as a group of distillers were operating as a “whiskey ring”, and were cheating the “whiskey ring”, and were cheating the government out of taxes by filing false government out of taxes by filing false reports. reports.

a House investigation revealed William a House investigation revealed William Belknap, sec. of war, had accepted bribes to Belknap, sec. of war, had accepted bribes to retain an Indian-post trader if office, aka the retain an Indian-post trader if office, aka the “Indian Ring.”“Indian Ring.”

Grantism just added to the growing belief that Grantism just added to the growing belief that there was rampant corruption in the govt.there was rampant corruption in the govt.

The Greenback QuestionThe Greenback Question to make things worse, the nation faced the to make things worse, the nation faced the

financial crisis called the Panic of 1873.financial crisis called the Panic of 1873. It was all started by investment companies It was all started by investment companies

who had overinvested in railroad who had overinvested in railroad construction.construction.

multiple panics before, 1819, 37, 57; but multiple panics before, 1819, 37, 57; but this was the worse and lasted 4 years.this was the worse and lasted 4 years.

debtors requested that the govt. redeem debtors requested that the govt. redeem federal war bonds with greenbacks, paper federal war bonds with greenbacks, paper currency printed during the Civil War, which currency printed during the Civil War, which would increase the money supply and cause would increase the money supply and cause inflation. (this helps those in debt, and hurts inflation. (this helps those in debt, and hurts lenders.)lenders.)

However, Grant and most Rep.’s favor a However, Grant and most Rep.’s favor a “sound” currency = based on gold reserves“sound” currency = based on gold reserves

The Greenback Question Cont’dThe Greenback Question Cont’d approx. $356 million greenbacks in circulation, and approx. $356 million greenbacks in circulation, and

in 1873, treasury issued more in response to panic.in 1873, treasury issued more in response to panic. 1875 Congress passes Specie Resumption Act = 1875 Congress passes Specie Resumption Act =

govt. buys back greenbacks, and issues new govt. buys back greenbacks, and issues new certificates, based on gold standard.certificates, based on gold standard.

big problem, this causes deflation! (hurts big problem, this causes deflation! (hurts borrowers/debtors, and helps lenders (aka banks and borrowers/debtors, and helps lenders (aka banks and rich)rich)

1875, the “greenbackers” formed the National 1875, the “greenbackers” formed the National Greenback Party = active in next 3 elections, but Greenback Party = active in next 3 elections, but unsuccessful in long run, as a third party. However, unsuccessful in long run, as a third party. However, successful in keeping “soft v. hard” money issue in successful in keeping “soft v. hard” money issue in public discourse.public discourse.

currency would remain one of the most controversial currency would remain one of the most controversial and divisive issues in late 19th century politics. and divisive issues in late 19th century politics.

Republican DiplomacyRepublican Diplomacy Johnson and Grant administrations greatest Johnson and Grant administrations greatest

successes were in foreign affairs.successes were in foreign affairs. but success, was really based on the sec. of states.but success, was really based on the sec. of states. William Seward and Hamilton FishWilliam Seward and Hamilton Fish Seward accepted offer from Russia to buy Alaska for $7.2 Seward accepted offer from Russia to buy Alaska for $7.2

million, aka “Seward’s Folly or Seward’s Ice Box” – million, aka “Seward’s Folly or Seward’s Ice Box” – Seward also worked out the deal to get Midway Islands Seward also worked out the deal to get Midway Islands (later important for WWII?)(later important for WWII?)

Fish worked on Alabama Claims, where English Fish worked on Alabama Claims, where English helped build the Confederacy ships for Civil War helped build the Confederacy ships for Civil War (the ALABAMA). – Fed. govt. sued England for (the ALABAMA). – Fed. govt. sued England for damages these ships caused = “Alabama Claims”damages these ships caused = “Alabama Claims”

1871, Treaty of Washington = Britain apologized 1871, Treaty of Washington = Britain apologized for letting Alabama escape from England. (also set for letting Alabama escape from England. (also set up clear boundaries between British and US up clear boundaries between British and US territories; and some free navigation among territories; and some free navigation among waterways)waterways)

The Abandonment of The Abandonment of ReconstructionReconstruction

Despite the presence of Federal Despite the presence of Federal troops, by the time Grant left office troops, by the time Grant left office Democrats had taken back the Democrats had taken back the governments of seven of the eleven governments of seven of the eleven former Confederate Statesformer Confederate States

The Southern States “Redeemed”The Southern States “Redeemed” States of the upper south had a States of the upper south had a

majority of white citizens, thus had an majority of white citizens, thus had an easy time putting their candidates into easy time putting their candidates into power once they regained suffragepower once they regained suffrage

The Southern States “Redeemed” The Southern States “Redeemed” Cont’dCont’d

In states where blacks had the majority, In states where blacks had the majority, whites used intimidation and violence to whites used intimidation and violence to undermine the Reconstruction regimesundermine the Reconstruction regimes

KKK – secret society, midnight raids, military KKK – secret society, midnight raids, military force; thought of as a patriotic society by force; thought of as a patriotic society by southern whitessouthern whites

Knights of the White CamelliaKnights of the White Camellia Red Shirts and White Leagues worked to force Red Shirts and White Leagues worked to force

all whites to join Democratic party and all whites to join Democratic party and exclude blacks from political activitiesexclude blacks from political activities

economic intimidation = land owners did not economic intimidation = land owners did not rent to blacks who votedrent to blacks who voted

The Ku Klux Klan Acts The Ku Klux Klan Acts (Enforcement Acts)(Enforcement Acts)

prohibited states from prohibited states from discriminating against discriminating against voters on the basis of racevoters on the basis of race

authorized Federal district authorized Federal district attorneys to take action attorneys to take action against conspiracies to against conspiracies to deny African Americans deny African Americans suffragesuffrage

Also gave the president Also gave the president the power to suspend the power to suspend habeas corpus when habeas corpus when violations of these rights violations of these rights were particularly were particularly egregiousegregious

Grant declared a “state of Grant declared a “state of lawlessness” in nine lawlessness” in nine counties in South Carolinacounties in South Carolina

By 1872 violence against By 1872 violence against blacks had declined blacks had declined throughout the regionthroughout the region

Waning Northern CommitmentWaning Northern Commitment Social Darwinism = a harsh theory that Social Darwinism = a harsh theory that

argued that individuals who failed did so argued that individuals who failed did so because of their own weakness and genetic because of their own weakness and genetic “unfitness”“unfitness”

Sharp departure from Transcendentalism Sharp departure from Transcendentalism gained popularity in the Northgained popularity in the North

EffectsEffects weakened support for Reconstruction programweakened support for Reconstruction program land distribution disappearedland distribution disappeared decline in willingness to spend money and decline in willingness to spend money and

resources to aid freemen (due to Panic of 1873)resources to aid freemen (due to Panic of 1873) Democrats regain control of Congress in 1874 Democrats regain control of Congress in 1874

for the first time since 1861and come to for the first time since 1861and come to power in nearly every southern state in 1876power in nearly every southern state in 1876

The Compromise of 1877The Compromise of 1877 Republicans decide not to run Grant again in Republicans decide not to run Grant again in

1876, but Republicans decided to run Rutherford 1876, but Republicans decided to run Rutherford B. Hayes v. Democrat TildenB. Hayes v. Democrat Tilden

Tilden wins popular vote by wide margin, but Tilden wins popular vote by wide margin, but electoral vote is contested...electoral vote is contested...

Comes down to a Congressional committee Comes down to a Congressional committee which is slightly biased towards Republicans and which is slightly biased towards Republicans and by one vote decides to give the election to Hayesby one vote decides to give the election to Hayes

Southern Democrats threatened a filibuster to Southern Democrats threatened a filibuster to block decision, but a compromise is made at a block decision, but a compromise is made at a hotel: Southern Democrats won’t filibuster if as hotel: Southern Democrats won’t filibuster if as long as Hayes removes the last of the federal long as Hayes removes the last of the federal troops from the South. troops from the South.

Deal is done and brings an abrupt and Deal is done and brings an abrupt and incomplete end to Reconstructionincomplete end to Reconstruction

The Legacy of ReconstructionThe Legacy of Reconstruction Brinkley “Reconstruction was in the end largely a Brinkley “Reconstruction was in the end largely a

failure” P.533failure” P.533 WHY DIDN’T IT ACHIEVE MORE? p. 533WHY DIDN’T IT ACHIEVE MORE? p. 533 conservative powersconservative powers poor leadershippoor leadership KKKKKK Black codesBlack codes Grant ScandalsGrant Scandals profound respect for private property and free profound respect for private property and free

enterpriseenterprise African Americans looked upon as inferiorAfrican Americans looked upon as inferior Perhaps “surprising” that it did as much as it didPerhaps “surprising” that it did as much as it did

14th and 15th Amendments, although largely 14th and 15th Amendments, although largely ignored in the South, would go on to fuel a ignored in the South, would go on to fuel a “Second Reconstruction” in the 20th century“Second Reconstruction” in the 20th century

The New South The New South

The “Redeemers”The “Redeemers” by 1877 every southern state “redeemed” = by 1877 every southern state “redeemed” =

white Democrats in charge at nearly every level white Democrats in charge at nearly every level of Southern governmentof Southern government

South falls into control of a powerful, conservative South falls into control of a powerful, conservative oligarchy known as “Redeemers” or “Bourbons”oligarchy known as “Redeemers” or “Bourbons”

Committed to home rule, social conservatism and Committed to home rule, social conservatism and economic developmenteconomic development

Democrats cut taxes, reduced government Democrats cut taxes, reduced government spending, drastically diminished state servicesspending, drastically diminished state services

““Schools are not a necessity”Schools are not a necessity” Dissenting movements (“Readjusters”, etc.) Dissenting movements (“Readjusters”, etc.)

crushedcrushed

The Industrialization of the The Industrialization of the “New South”“New South”

Many Southerners believed Many Southerners believed they had lost the war they had lost the war because they had a weak because they had a weak industrial economy... now the industrial economy... now the goal of the “New South was goal of the “New South was to Out Yankee the Yankees” to Out Yankee the Yankees”

Southern literature and print Southern literature and print depicted antebellum South depicted antebellum South with nostalgia and embraced with nostalgia and embraced the “Lost Cause”... portrayed the “Lost Cause”... portrayed slaves society as a slaves society as a harmonious worldharmonious world

Textile factories appearing in Textile factories appearing in greater numbers in the Southgreater numbers in the South

Iron and the RailroadIron and the Railroad Women working in them, Women working in them,

African Americans barredAfrican Americans barred Efforts to unionize crushedEfforts to unionize crushed Prisoners, “chain gangs”, Prisoners, “chain gangs”,

often doing hard labor and often doing hard labor and being paid nothingbeing paid nothing

Tenants and Tenants and SharecroppersSharecroppers

Region remained Region remained primarily agrarianprimarily agrarian

Black farmers Black farmers generally had no generally had no money to pay for tools money to pay for tools or land in advance, or land in advance, thus only means of thus only means of payment was sharing payment was sharing the profit of the the profit of the returns with the returns with the landowner, hence landowner, hence “sharecropping”“sharecropping”

““fence laws” and high fence laws” and high rents infringe on rents infringe on backcountry residentsbackcountry residents

African Americans and the African Americans and the New SouthNew South

Some African Americans Some African Americans managed to elevate managed to elevate themselves financially, themselves financially, although not sociallyalthough not socially

Education = vitalEducation = vital Booker T. Washington Booker T. Washington

established the Tuskegee established the Tuskegee institute to encourage institute to encourage blacks towards self-blacks towards self-improvementimprovement

adopt the standards of the adopt the standards of the white middle classwhite middle class

believed blacks should forgo believed blacks should forgo agitating for political rights and agitating for political rights and concentrate on self-concentrate on self-improvement via economic improvement via economic skillsskills

did not challenge white did not challenge white segregation policiessegregation policies

The Birth of Jim CrowThe Birth of Jim Crow In Civil Rights Cases, 1883, the U.S. Supreme In Civil Rights Cases, 1883, the U.S. Supreme

Court rules that the 14th Amendment prohibited Court rules that the 14th Amendment prohibited state governments from discriminating against state governments from discriminating against people because of race, but did not restrict private people because of race, but did not restrict private organizations from doing so. Thus railroads, hotels, organizations from doing so. Thus railroads, hotels, theaters could legally practice segregation. Ruled theaters could legally practice segregation. Ruled Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional. Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional. Common Common theme = govt. (via Sup. Court) supports theme = govt. (via Sup. Court) supports segregation, racism and discrimination!segregation, racism and discrimination!

Plessey v. FergusonPlessey v. Ferguson (1896) a case involving (1896) a case involving seating arrangements in railroads validated state seating arrangements in railroads validated state legislation that institutionalized the separation of legislation that institutionalized the separation of the racesthe races

Cumming v. County Board of EducationCumming v. County Board of Education (1899) the (1899) the Court ruled that laws establishing separate schools Court ruled that laws establishing separate schools for whites were valid even if there were no schools for whites were valid even if there were no schools for blacks comparable to the white schools from for blacks comparable to the white schools from which the were excludedwhich the were excluded

The Birth of Jim Crow Cont’dThe Birth of Jim Crow Cont’d Evading the 15th AmendmentEvading the 15th Amendment

poll taxpoll tax ““literacy” or “understanding” tests (often literacy” or “understanding” tests (often

unfair)unfair) grandfather laws grandfather laws

Williams v. MississippiWilliams v. Mississippi (1890) validated (1890) validated southern literacy testssouthern literacy tests

Jim Crow = an elaborate system of Jim Crow = an elaborate system of segregation reaching into almost every segregation reaching into almost every area of southern life. Served as a means area of southern life. Served as a means for whites to retain control of social for whites to retain control of social relations between the races in the newly relations between the races in the newly growing cities and towns of the South.growing cities and towns of the South.

The Birth of Jim Crow Cont’dThe Birth of Jim Crow Cont’d 1890s dramatic increase in white violence 1890s dramatic increase in white violence

towards blacks: 187 lynchings each year, towards blacks: 187 lynchings each year, more than 80% of them in the South, the more than 80% of them in the South, the vast majority of victims blackvast majority of victims black

prisoners seized from within prisons and prisoners seized from within prisons and hanged in front of large audienceshanged in front of large audiences

Southern whites controlled black Southern whites controlled black population through terrorpopulation through terror

Jim Crow originated from minstrel shows, Jim Crow originated from minstrel shows, where white actor painted their face with where white actor painted their face with black shoe polish and “acted” like a negro black shoe polish and “acted” like a negro or sambo.or sambo.

Examples of Jim Crow Laws in TX, Miss., Examples of Jim Crow Laws in TX, Miss., and Tennessee?and Tennessee?

Jim CrowJim Crow http:// http://

www.jimcrowhistory.orwww.jimcrowhistory.org/scripts/jimcrow/galleg/scripts/jimcrow/gallery.cgi?collectionry.cgi?collection=crow=crow